Cortland, NY - Freshman third baseman DANNY RODRIGUEZ (Monmouth Junction, NJ/South Brunswick) drove in three runs but it wasn't enough as Montclair State closed out its 2003 season with an 8-7 loss to SUNY Cortland on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Hawks concluded their season at 17-20-1, their first sub-.500 campaign since 1962. The 17 victories are also the fewest by a Montclair State team since 1979.

MSU trailed 7-4 heading into the top of the eighth inning, but scored three times to tie the game. JOE GIACOMIAZZIO (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) singled to open the inning and PJ Baccarella (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) walked. The two moved up on a wild pitch and scored as Rodriguez delivered a single up the middle. Rodridugez moved to second on the throw home and scored when MIKE WEISS (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) singled to left.

However, the Red Dragons (31-9) regained the lead in the eighth as second baseman Ben Albright doubled with two out and scored as Corey Haggerty singled up the middle against reliever JEFF GOGAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny).
Montclair would threaten in the ninth as ETHAN BOYD (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) drew a lead off walk and Giacomiazzio was intentionally walked with two outs. But Mike Burnett retired MIKE HALLIGAN (Pompton Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) for the final out.

Rodriguez had two hits in the game as did Giacomiaazio and BRIAN SHEEKEY (Palm Coast, FL/Father Lopez). Halligan and catcher SEAN JONES (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) each added RBIs for the Red Hawks.